20 years ago, investing in home automation basically meant plugging your bedside lamp into a Clapper. A lot’s changed since then, and there’s practically no limit to the ways you can make your home smarter, from automated vacuums to energy-saving thermostats.
Here are some no-brainer devices that can help anyone control their entire house (or at least a good portion of it) right from their smartphone.
Echo Dot (3rd Gen) - Smart speaker with Alexa - Sandstone - amazon.com
29.99Shop Now
The beating heart of any smart home is a virtual assistant that lets you control your devices with your voice, and Amazon’s Echo Dot smart speakers are a relatively inexpensive option that’s still full of functionality. If you’re uncomfortable with the idea of a device that listens in on your conversations… maybe the whole “smart home” thing isn’t for you?
Linkind Smart WiFi Light Bulb 2.4G, 60W Equivalent LED Bulb, Dimmable and Tunable, Pack of 4 - amazon.com
29.99Shop Now
If you don’t like the idea of buying into the whole Philips Hue ecosystem just to get a few wireless lights, Sylvania’s smart bulbs are a great alternative that require no hub and are super easy to set up. Not as easy to set up as a plain old light bulb, sure... but still very easy.
Ring Video Doorbell Pro - amazon.com
169.99Shop Now
Porch piracy is a huge problem, and a video doorbell can let you catch the thieves red-handed. Then you can watch, powerless, as they walk away with your stuff anyway. At least you caught it on camera, though!
Echo Wall Clock - amazon.com
29.99Shop Now
This add-on device looks like a standard wall clock, but it also visualizes any timers you’ve set through your Amazon Echo, showing how much time is left and blinking when the countdown ends.
Ring Smart Lighting Floodlight
Ring - Smart Lighting Wired Floodlight - White - bestbuy.com
51.99Shop Now
Upgrading from standard flood lights to a Wi-Fi-connected smart flood light is a lot like… well, it’s not a lot like anything else, truth be told. Still, receiving motion notifications to your phone and not having to climb a ladder to change burnt-out bulbs are undeniably good things.
Kasa Smart (HS103P4) Plug by TP-Link - amazon.com
26.99Shop Now
Got a device you’d like to control wirelessly, like a coffee machine or antique lamp, but it’s not “smart?” These plugs give an IQ boost to the outlet itself, and are small enough that they don’t block the way for other devices.
Echo Flex - Plug-in mini smart speaker with Alexa - amazon.com
24.99Shop Now
For a measly $10, the Echo Flex lets you add virtual assistant functionality to just about anywhere in the house without a major investment. Haven’t you always wanted to ask Alexa to play jock jams in your garage? Of course you have!
eero - AC Dual-Band Mesh Wi-Fi 5 System (3-Pack) - White - bestbuy.com
249.99Shop Now
Setting up a smart home system is all well and good, but unless you’ve got adequate wifi coverage in every room, you’re in for a major disappointment. Pick up a network of mesh routers, and you’ll never again have to worry about weak download speeds in the solarium.
Lutron P-BDG-PKG2W-A Wireless Deluxe Dimmer Bridge Caseta Smart Start Kit - amazon.com
150.00Shop Now
Got a light fixture that doesn’t take standard light bulbs? You can still add it to your smart home network: all you need is a wifi-connected light switch and a screwdriver. Just remember to hit the circuit breaker before you attempt installation, or you’ll skip the smart home and go straight to the funeral home.
iRobot Roomba 675 Robot Vacuum-Wi-Fi Connectivity - amazon.com
249.00Shop Now
You’ve seen the viral videos where cats ride on top of them, but did you know Roombas can actually be used to vacuum your house? Or that you can set a schedule for the Roomba to automatically vacuum every day without being told? Or that the Roomba can be programmed to track down criminals and bring them to justice? Alright, that last one is just the plot to Robocop, but the Roomba is still really handy.
TaoTronics TT-SL215 LED Strip Lights, multicolor, 32 Feet - amazon.com
35.99Shop Now
Cabinet lighting can go a long way toward making your kitchen look less like a dungeon where fruit flies feast on forgotten produce, and more like a place you’d actually want to cook things. If you can control the brightness and color of said cabinet lighting from your phone, so much the better.
Google T3007ES Nest Learning Thermostat 3rd Generation - amazon.com
248.00Shop Now
A Wi-Fi thermostat can save you serious money on your heating and cooling bills in the long-term. It can also allow you to fine-tune your ideal temperature from the comfort of your couch instead of doing something productive – like actually remembering to pay those heating and cooling bills.
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November 25, 2020 at 06:45AM
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Smart home gifts that are stupid-easy buys - SFGate
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